The Nation Newspaper

Category: Election 2019

  • Kalu delivers LG to Buhari

    The former Governor of Abia state, Dr Orji Uzor kalu has delivered the Bende Local Government for President Muhammadu Buhari during the Presidential and National Assembly election in the area.

    Buhari polled a total of of 9233 to defeat the candidate of Peoples Democratic party, Atiku Abubakar who polled 6649.

    The returning officer for the presidential election in the area Prof Nnennaya Ibiam , announced the result at the INEC head quarters in  Umuahia, the state capital on Sunday.

    Also the member representing Isikwuuato/ Umunneochi federal Constituency in the House of representatives in Abia state, Hon Nkiru Onyejiocha, has won election into the house of representative for the fourth term.

    Onyejiocha was declared winner after polling a total of 14,712 votes to defeat her closest rival of the Peoples Democratic party Mr. Ude Achara who polled 10,064 votes.

    Also in Bende federal Constituency,  Benjamin Kalu of the All Progressive Congress also polled 9,138 to defeat Chimanyaso of the Peoples Democratic party who polled 5591 in the Bende federal Constituency.

    The returning officer for the constituency Mr. Martin Okoro declared him winner after announcing the result.

  • PDP demands release of Buba Galadima

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded the immediate release of one of the spokespersons of its Presidential Campaign Council, Alhaji Buba Galadima.

    The national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, in a statement he personally signed on Sunday, said Galadima was Sunday evening, arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    The statement said, “We as a party condemn this arrest in the strongest possible terms. Buba Galadima is a patriot. His patriotism has been previously and strongly highlighted by various Nigerians, including President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “What crime has he committed? I answer my own question and say none. Mr. Galadima is constitutionally guaranteed a right of freedom of speech and freedom after the speech.

    “The nation is currently boiling with the deaths caused by thugs of the All Progressives Congress. Not one of these thugs has been arrested by the DSS.

    “The nation was embarrassed by drone images of bullion vans laden with cash driving into the home of the National Leader of the APC and no action has been taken by the law enforcement authorities. Yet a patriot and pro-democracy activist is arrested.

    “We cannot be hoodwinked by the puppeteering of the DSS by the APC. It is obviously no coincidence that the APC Presidential Campaign Council called for the arrest of Mr. Galadima at 12 noon today (Sunday the 24th of February, 2019) and the arrest was duly effected by the DSS an hour later.

    “This arrest is only the latest in a pattern of anti democratic actions by the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    “Nigeria will not be cowed. We have voted for democracy and as a nation, we will not be taken back to Egypt by the discredited blame centred anti democratic forces who have turned a once thriving economy into the world headquarters for extreme poverty.

    “I call for the immediate release of Mr. Buba Galadima by the Department of State Services, even as I remind the DSS and other security agencies, that their oath of allegiance was sworn to Nigeria and not to the All Progressive Congress or President Muhammadu Buhari”.

  • Buhari wins Atiku in Adamawa’s Shelleng LGA

    President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC gathered 13,531 votes in the result of Shelleng Local Government Area of Adsmawa State announced Sunday night at the Presidential Collation Centre in the state capital, Yola.

    Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the PDP followed closely with 11,912 votes in this second LGA result released so far by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the release of the Girei LGA result hours earlier.

    The collation officer for the Shelleng LGA, Abdukadir Muhammed, who finished announcing the Shelleng votes a few minutes before 9pm Sunday, put the total valid votes at 25,827.

    Votes for the other parties, according to the collation officer, included Accord Party (A) 2 votes, AA 3, ABP 1, ACP 5, ACPN 1, ADC 32, ADP 6, AGA 1, AGAP 1, ANDP 2, ANF 1 ANRP 1, APA 30, APDA 19, APGA 2, APP 2, ASD 2, DPP 10, GDPM 37, GDF 5, HDP 1, JMPP 1, KP 20, LM 1, NRM 29, NUP 3, PPP 10 FKP 2, GPF 36, GPF 5, JNPP 1, KP 20, LM 1 MJA 2, MMM 10, PPA 17, PPM3 SDP 10, SNC 3, UDP 2, NRM 29, PCP 61, PPA 17, PPM 3.

  • PDP insists on results from polling units

    …alleges plots to alter election results

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has insisted on the official release of results already delivered at the various polling units for its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    A statement last night by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, cautioned that Nigerians will not accept any figures except what was declared and collated from the polling units.

    The PDP further alleged that the Buhari Presidency has been mounting pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and dispatching officials to change results in Rivers, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Kogi, Bauchi, Cross River, Borno, Yobe and Edo states among others, in a frenzy to allocate fictitious figures for President Buhari.

    “Pathetically, the Buhari Presidency is also threatening the South-East state governors to change results and carve a 25% for Mr. President, a scheme that has already failed.

    “In Bauchi state, we are aware of the plots to move thump-printed ballot papers and fabricated results from Bauchi to Dass Local Government Area to upturn PDP’s victory in the results already delivered and announced at the polling units in the area.

    “This is why the electoral officials have been delaying moving the results for final collation and announcement. If this plot fails, the APC plans to void the results for Dass.

    “In spite of all these, our party assures Nigerians that the hope for a new government led by Atiku Abubakar, is already manifest.

    “Our agents and indeed, Nigerians, already have the results as delivered at the polling units and are not ready to accept anything to the contrary. President Buhari and the APC should therefore quietly come to terms with the fact that they have been defeated.

    “The PDP therefore cautions INEC to respect the laws and electoral guidelines by upholding and declaring results from the polling units as expressed by Nigerians on Saturday”.

  • Election: Buhari wins seven councils in Borno

    The Presidential Candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari, has won seven of the 27 local government areas in Borno, as election result collation in the Saturday’s Presidential election is progressing in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that presidential collation was conducted at the Kashim Ibrahim of College of Education, Maiduguri.

    The exercise, presided over by the state’s Presidential Returning Officer, Prof. Saminu Abdulrahaman, was conducted smoothly in the presence of party agents, election observers, security agents and journalists.

    NAN reports that Buhari scored the highest cast in seven of the 27 local government areas as indicated in the results so far submitted for collation by the returning officers of the councils.

    The councils were Nganzai; Mobbar, Dikwa, Abadam, Guzamala, Gubio and Magumeri.

    The presidential election results so far collated indicated that Buhari was taking the lead against his closets opponent, Atiku Abubakar, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The results as announced by the Returning Officer in charge of Nganzai, Dr A Fusami, showed that the APC candidate scored 6, 804 as against the 975 votes scored by the PDP’s candidate.

    In Mobbar, Baba Shehu, the Returning Officer, declared that Buhari polled 13, 122 votes and Atiku scored 280 votes.

    For Dikwa; the Returning Officer, Dr. J. Ibrahim, disclosed that the APC candidate scored 17, 805 against the 100 votes scored by the PDP candidate.

    Dr Ahmed Musa, the Returning Officer in charge of Abadam, said that the APC candidate polled 5, 907 while the PDP candidate got 270 votes.

    The Returning Officer in charge of Guzamala, Dr Zarma Alhaji, announced that Buhari polled 5, 370 votes against the 521 votes scored by Atiku.

    Also, Dr Kachalla Mohammed, the Returning Officer in charge of Gubio, declared that the APC candidate polled 10, 207 votes while the PDP flag bearer got 510 votes.

    Dr Babagana Gambo, the Returning Officer in charge of Magumeri, announced that Buhari polled 12, 739 against the 694 votes scored by Atiku.

    NAN reports also that election results from far distance areas were expected to be received at the collation centre, while the exercise was adjourned later in the day for continuation.

    Meanwhile, similar exercises were ongoing for the president, senate and House of Representatives elections at Maiduguri, Monguno and other centers in the state.

  • Police confirm 5 persons killed by gunmen in Taraba

    The Police Command in Taraba has confirmed the killing of five persons by gunmen in the early hours of Sunday after the general elections in the state.

    The Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO) in the state, Mr David Misal, made the confirmation while speaking  to newsmen in Jalingo.

    Misal said the five persons were coming from Umari to Cambri villages in Karim Lamido Local GovernmentAra when they  were ambushed at about 3:00 a.m.  by the hoodlums and shot dead.

    The PPRO  however, explained that the killings had nothing to do with the elections.

    “Yes, five people were ambushed by hoodlums and shot dead in the early hours of Sunday in Karim Lamido Local Government Council of Taraba.

    “The killings do not have to do with elections, it is being investigated as a criminal matter,” he said.

    However, Mr Aaron Artimas, the  spokesperson of the All progressives Congress (APC) in the Taraba, said one of the victims, Malam Muhammed Kambari, served as APC agent in his home town of Kambari and was coming from the village in the company of   others when some  gunmen suspected to be political thugs shot them dead.

    “Kambari went to his home town of Kambari where he served as a party agent and was on his way back to Karim, the local government headquarters where they would proceed to Jalingo with the election results when he and four others were waylaid and killed.

    “We have filed the report with the police and so far nothing has come out of it yet but it is our hope that they will bring the perpetrators to book,” he said.

    Alhaji Inuwa Bakare,the spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, described the death of the five persons as “most unfortunate” but maintained that the party had nothing to do with the incident.

    “The election in Karim Lamido Local Government Area and indeed the entire state was very peaceful and there was no incident of recorded violence.

    “It is sad that people were killed after the election on their way to back to Jalingo.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Presidential and National Assembly elections were held peacefully across the state on Saturday and collation of results ongoing in various local government councils. (

  • Borrofice wins, Akeredolu’s men lose in Ondo

    The embattled Ondo North Lawmaker and Senatorial Candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Prof.Ajayi Boroffice has retained his seat at the Upper Chairman.

    He emerged victorious after polling 53,199 to beat the Action Alliance (AA) candidate, Dr Tunji Abayomi with 43,100 and Mr Segun Alonge scoring 34,490.

    Unconfirmed report said former Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, may have lost the battle to represent Ondo Central senatorial district in the senate with the results being released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officers in some of the Local Government Areas that make up the district.

    Although the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the state,Dr Rufus Akeju has not announced the results officially, reports from the six Local Government Areas of  the central senatorial district showed PDP’s Ayo Akinyelure, who was at the Senate before he was defeated by incumbent Senator Tayo Alasoadura may likely take the seat.

    Mimiko contested under the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) after he dropped his ambition to contest the presidential election under the Labour Party (LP).

    Read Also: Boroffice supporters back Akeredolu

    The results of Ondo South senatorial district was yet to be announced as at press time but feelers said the candidate of the PDP, who is the former commissioner for Transport in Ondo state, Nicholas Tofowomo, was leading other contestants.

    In Okitipupa/Irele federal constituency, the PDP candidate, Mr. Ikengboju Gboluga polled 31,042 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Albert Akintoye of the APC who polled 19,875 votes.

    The result was announced by INEC Returning Officer in charge of the federal constituency, Prof Enuwo at Stella Maris College in Okitipupa.

    Also, in Akoko North East/Akoko North West federal constituency, Olubunmi  Ojo of the APC polled 20,988 votes to defeat Mr Wale Ogunleye of the PDP who had 12,969 votes and the incumbent federal lawmaker, Stephen Olemija of the AA who had 10,979 votes.

    In Akoko South West/Akoko South East federal constituency, Ade Adeogun of the APC polled 19,047 to emerge winner while two of his closest rivals, Dr Victor Ategbole of the AA got 14,694 votes and Martins Abiloye of the PDP polled 12,907 votes.

    INEC Returning officer Prof Taiwo Abraham declared the result at Oka-Akoko.

    However, six House of Representatives seats are still awaiting official declaration by INEC Returning officers as at press time.

  • Group tips 32-year-old activist as Audu Ogbeh’s replacement

    The Benue Elite Development Network has tipped self-style Human Rights activist and public affairs commentator, Barrister Philip Agbese as a possible replacement for Mr. Audu Ogbeh who is the current Minister of Agriculture in the Buhari cabinet.
    The group made the call at an event held today in Abuja where Chief Philip Agbese was decorated with an award of excellence in recognition of his humanitarian activities across the country.
    The group particularly hailed Agbese who has joined hands with other Nigerians to assist in curbing the humanitarian issues in the North East using so many NGOs and directly visiting the place when insurgency was at its peak.
    Leader of the delegation, Engr. Onoja Ugwu whilst singling Agbese for commendation, said the young activist with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Middlesex University London is one of the best brains Benue can trust to represent her at the Federal Executive Council especially in fulfilling the President’s promise to include young active youths who can take the country forward.
    According to the group, Agbese is a master-strategist that has aligned himself with President Buhari’s Change phenomenon and most suitable for the appointment.
    In his reaction, Mr Agbese thanked God for the opportunity and the group for the recognition.
    He said: “It has been our lifestyle to do it the way we do, sometimes we are appreciated and times without number we are rejected by the same people we are trying to protect in the society.”
    He recalled his days on campus as an activist when while fighting for the rights of students in the area of hikes in fees when some will betray the cause and back out.
    “it is normal for people to do things and not appreciated in the society but it is also normal for people to do things and be appreciated I think something in particular makes this one very unique.
    “The fact that the Benue Elite Development network is a group of intellectuals and professionals from diverse backgrounds”
    He said the award is not just well deserved but coming from the right group.
    “I am totally flabbergasted to fit into the shoes of this award consideration ihave honoured people but this is the first time am being honoured in my life and it will remain a memory in my existence for a very long time”
    Mr Agbese further dedicated the award to his family, the staff of TheNigerian News Group who have been steadfast with him for the growth and stability of the organisation.

     

  • Breaking: INEC National Coalition Centre adjourns proceedings

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Coalition Center has adjourned proceedings.

    They will resume on Monday by 11am

     

    Details Later…….

  • A’Ibom speaker wins Etinan federal constituency

    The Speaker Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly has been declared winner of the Etinan federal constituency seat.

    He contested on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Luke was adjudged victorious after polling 44,830 votes ahead of Mr. Dan Akpan of the All Progressives Congress who scored 15,800 votes.

    Addressing his supporters on Sunday after being declared winner by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Etinan, Luke assured of his readiness to offer them a voice which they can depend on in the National Assembly.

    Accompanied by his wife, Uduak, his campaign director, Rt. Hon. Anietie Etuk and the state PDP chairman, Mr Paul Ekpo, Luke thanked his supporters for their sacrifices and their support during the election, saying he would justify the confidence reposed in him by the masses.

    He dedicated his victory to God, his family, the PDP and myriad of other supporters.

    Read Also: Yobe Assembly loses Deputy Speaker

    He noted that he enjoyed a bipartisan support across the three local government areas making up Etinan Federal Constituency.

    Luke, 40, has had sterling two-term tenure as lawmaker in the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly.

    He has been lead sponsor of 18 private member bills, 6 of which have been passed into law.

    He promised to bring his rich experience to bear in the House of Representatives.